How woke is Thermo Fisher Scientific?

Introduction

Thermo Fisher Scientific is a prominent player in the biotechnology and life sciences industry, but its corporate practices have drawn attention for their alignment with progressive causes. From extensive DEI initiatives to support for LGBTQ+ agendas, the company actively promotes a woke ideology, often at the expense of traditional merit-based practices and objective corporate goals.

Financial Contributions to Progressive Causes

Thermo Fisher has demonstrated its commitment to progressive ideologies through financial contributions and community initiatives. The company openly states, “Thermo Fisher partners with non-profits and organisations that aim to address systemic inequities and improve access to education and healthcare for underrepresented groups.” 

Furthermore, their 2017 CSR Report outlines donations aligned with racial justice and climate change activism, affirming their mission to “make the world healthier, cleaner, and safer by promoting diversity and inclusion in science.”

Prioritisation of DEI Policies

Thermo Fisher’s DEI efforts prioritise identity over merit, as evidenced by their commitment to achieving gender parity in leadership roles by 2030 and increasing opportunities for underrepresented groups across their workforce. The company asserts, “We are committed to achieving gender parity in leadership roles by 2030 and expanding opportunities for underrepresented groups across our workforce.” 

Their 2022 CSR Report emphasises a broader cultural goal: “Our DEI strategy involves fostering a culture where every colleague feels they belong and where diverse perspectives drive innovation and success.” While aimed at inclusivity, these policies risk compromising qualifications and experience by favoring diversity quotas.

Mandatory Training Sessions

Based on available information, no specific evidence exists that Thermo Fisher mandates training sessions on social activism topics such as unconscious bias or critical race theory. The existence, nature, and extent of such training within the company are unknown.

Support for LGBTQ+ Initiatives

Thermo Fisher openly supports LGBTQ+ initiatives, mainly through marketing and employee engagement. Their Pride Month celebration is a testament to this, with the company declaring, “Thermo Fisher stands with the LGBTQ+ community, celebrating Pride Month by sharing stories of resilience and support from our employees.” 

Inclusivity is not just a policy but a deeply embedded value, as reflected in their Instagram highlights, which state, “Inclusivity is more than a policy—it is a value deeply embedded in Thermo Fisher’s culture, as reflected in our LGBTQ+ employee resource groups and community partnerships.” These initiatives reveal a corporate culture heavily invested in aligning with progressive social movements.

Marketing and Branding

Thermo Fisher incorporates social justice themes in its marketing strategies, emphasising inclusivity and diversity. Their campaigns “aim to humanise science by showcasing the real people behind life-changing innovations, promoting a message of inclusivity and diversity.” Similarly, a case study by Biostrata notes that “Thermo Fisher’s employee-focused branding helps bridge the gap between high-tech science and its real-world impact, fostering trust and connection.” 

While designed to resonate with broader audiences, these branding efforts lean heavily on woke narratives that may alienate consumers seeking apolitical corporate messaging.

Conclusion

Thermo Fisher Scientific exemplifies corporate wokeness with strong financial and ideological commitments to progressive causes. From DEI quotas to LGBTQ+ advocacy, the company prioritises its political and social agenda over traditional business practices. 

For consumers and investors seeking woke-free alternatives, Thermo Fisher’s policies contrast merit-based and apolitical corporate strategies.